Welding apparatus



6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Hubert J. Anderson H. J. ANDERSON WELDINGAPPARATUS mm Om May 4, 1965 Filed Jan. 7, 1963 a May 4, 1965 ANDERSONWELDING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 7, 1963 INVENTOR Hubert J.Anderson .May 4, 1965 H J. ANDERSON 3,182,177

WELDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. '7, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR HubertJ. Anderson H. J- ANDERSON WELDING APPARATUS May 4, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet4 Filed Jan. 7, 1963 INVENTOR Hubert J. Andersonv May 4, 1965 H. J.ANDERSON WELDING APPARATUS INVENTOR Hubert J. Anderson 6 Sheets-Sheet -5Filed Jan. 7, 1965 H. J. ANDERSON WELDING APPARATUS May 4, 1965 6Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 7, 1963 INVENTOR Hubert J. Anderson g? IUnited States Patent Office 3,182,177 WELDING APPARATUS Hubert J.Anderson, Pewaukee, Wis., assignor to Automatic Welding Company,Waukesha, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Jan. 7, 1963, Ser. No.249,932 12 Claims. (Cl. 219-125) This invention relates to weldingapparatus and in its more specific aspects to welding apparatus forwelding successively portions of work carried by a work support. Theinvention is applicable, among other applications, to the building up orrefacing of the links of tracks used in equipment which travels onendless link tracks. For purposes of explanation and illustration theinvention will be described as embodied in welding apparatus forrefacing such track links. Features herein disclosed but not claimed areclaimed in copending application Serial No. 249,832, filed of even dateherewith.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide welding apparatus forrefacing the links of endless tracks for vehicles. An endless track tobe refaced is removed from the vehicle by separating the links at onepoint and the track is laid out fiat on a work support and fastened tothe work support as well known to those skilled in the art. Weldingmechanism is moved along the work support to reface the links of thetrack. A weld deposit or bead is applied to each link as the weldingmechanism moves along the track. The welding current is interrupted asthe welding mechanism moves across the gaps between links. Means areprovided for adjustably positioning the Welding mechanism transverselyof the track so that weld deposits or beads can be applied to the linksin predetermined relationship to each other on successive passes of thewelding mechanism along the track.

The means heretofore provided for controlling welding current to insurewelding along each link and discontinuance of the welding across thegaps or spaces between links has been complex and relatively costly. Thewelding apparatus as a whole has been massive and expensive and, due toits high cost, beyond the reach of many smaller concerns requiring therefacing of track links either for their own vehicles or in theservicing of others vehicles.

The welding apparatus herein described has a number of novel featureswhich result in its greatly reduced cost in comparison with apparatusfor the same purpose previously available; also provision is made foraccomplishing functions which could not be accomplished by thepreviously available apparatus.

Welding apparatus is provided which comprises a work support, weldingmechanism and means for relatively moving the work support and thewelding mechanism to cause the welding mechanism to act successively onportions of work carried by the work support. A series of spaced apartactuating elements are ranged along the work support. A carrier isadjustably positionable relatively to the welding mechanism in thedirection of spacing apart of the actuating elements. Control means arecarried by the carrier comprising two control devices which successivelycome into cooperative relationship with each actuatinig element duringrelative movement between the work support and the welding mechanism,one initiating operation of the welding mechanism and the otherterminating operation of the welding mecha- 3,182,177 Patented May 4,1965 nism. Means are provided for adjustably positioning at least one ofthe control devices on the carriage in the direction of spacing apart ofthe actuating elements. The last mentioned means enable adjustment ofthe length of each weld since welding on each track link is initiated bythe action of an actuating element on the first control device andterminated by the action of the actuating element on the second controldevice. The adjustable positioning of the carriage relatively to thewelding mechanism provides for commencing each weld at the proper po1nt.

Normally the Work support will be stationary and the welding mechanismwill be movable along the Work support, acting successively on portionsof work carried by the work support as it moves along the work support.However, under special circumstances the welding mechanism may be heldstationary and the work support with the work thereon may be moved pastthe welding mechanism.

Each of the series of spaced apart actuating elements preferably has anelectroconductive active portion and the control means may compriseeiectroconductive roller contact means connected to the weldingmechanism so as to contact the electroconductive active portions of theactuating elements to close an electric circuit through the rollercontact means and the electroconductive active portion of each actuatingelement upon contact therebetween to alternately initiate and terminateoperation of the welding mechanism. The electroconductive activeportions of the actuating elements are preferably of insubstantialdimension in the direction of spacing apart of the actuating elementsfor a purpose to be presently described.

An auxiliary support may be connected and movable with the weldingmechanism as the welding mechanism moves along the work support to acton work carried by the work support. A container containing welding wirecoiled about a vertical axis may be carried by the auxiliary support.Means may be provided for guiding welding wire out of the top of thecontainer to the welding mechanism. The provision of the auxiliarysupport and container provides for utilization of a continuous length ofwelding wire many times as long as the longest length of welding wirewhich could be used in previously available apparatus designed for thesame purpose.

The welding apparatus may comprise a plurality of Work supports and aplurality of welding electrode directing nozzles, one mounted relativelyto each work support to direct a welding electrode to work carried bythat Slipport. Feeding means are provided for feeding the weldingelectrode. Means are provided for selectively guiding the weldingelectrode from the feeding means to a desired one of the weldingelectrode directing nozzles. This provision increases the range ofutility of the welding apparatus as a single welding electrode feedingmeans may be employed for welding work of different character mounted inrelation to the respective nozzles.

A plurality of generally tubular flexible welding electrode guides maybe provided, each connected with one of the nozzles, the guides beingselectively connectable to the feeding means to receive the weldingelectrode and guide it to a selected nozzle.

More specifically, the welding apparatus may comprise an elongated worksupport together with a welding head movable along the elongated worksupport, a nozzle movable along the elongated work support with thewelding head to direct a welding electrode to work carried by theelongated work support, a work support for circular work mountedadjacent the elongated work support, a nozzle mounted to direct aWelding electrode to circular work carried by the second mentioned worksupport and means for selectively guiding a welding electrode to adesired one of the nozzles.

Apparatus for welding circular work as herein disclosed may comprisewelding electrode feeding means, means for guiding a welding electrodefrom the feeding means and directing the welding electrode to weldcircular work carried by the apparatus, the apparatus having a pluralityof spaced apart mounting devices for mounting the circular Work forrotation to be welded by a welding electrode guided and directed by suchguiding means, one of the mounting devices being closer to such guidingmeans, for mounting circular work of relatively small diameter, andanother of the mounting devices being farther from such guiding means,for mounting circular work of relatively great diameter. The apparatuspreferably has a pivotally mounted mounting member having a plurality ofspaced apart mounting devices for mounting the circular work forrotation to be welded by a welding electrode guided and directed by theaforementioned guiding means, one of the mounting devices being closerto such guiding means, for mounting circular work of relatively smalldiameter, and another of the mounting devices being farther from suchguiding means, for moving circular work of relatively great diameter.

More specifically the welding apparatus may comprise an elongated worksupport together with welding electrode feeding means movable along theelongated work support, a nozzle movable along the elongated Worksupcular work carried by the second mentioned work support, the secondmentioned work support comprising a pivotally mounted mounting memberhaving a plurality of spaced apart mounting devices for mounting thecircular work for rotation to be welded by a welding electrode directedby the second mentioned nozzle, one of the mounting devices being closerto the second mentioned nozzle, for mounting circular work of relativelysmall diameter, and the other of the mounting devices eing farther fromthe second mentioned nozzle, for mounting circular work of relativelygreat diameter, and means for selectively guiding a welding electrodefrom the feeding means to the first mentioned nozzle when work is beingwelded on the elongated work support and from the feeding means to thesecond mentioned nozzle when the welding head is at said end of theelongated work support and circular WOlk is being welded on the secondmentioned work support.

ln welding apparatus comprising a series of spaced apart actuatingelements having electroconductive active portions ranged along the worksupport and electroconductive contact means connected to the weldingmechanism guiding means are preferably provided guidingtheelectroconductive contact means along the work support during relativemovement between the work support and the welding mechanism, the guidingmeans guiding the electroconductive contact means in a path to contactthe electroconductive active portions of the series of spaced apartactuating elements during relative movement between the work support andthe welding mechanism to close an electric circuit through theelectroconductive contact means and the 'electroconductive portion ofeach tive contact means upon contact with. the active portions contactthe electroconductive active portions of the series of spaced apartactuating elements to close an electric circuit through each contactmeans and the electroconductive active portion of each actuating elementupon contact t'herebetween but permitting limited resilient retractionof the control device upon contact with the active portions of theactuating elements, whereby to alternately initiate and terminateoperation of the welding mechanism.

The welding apparatus may comprise an elongated work support togetherwith welding mechanism movable along the elongated work support to weldwork on the support and a tlux carrier mounted separately from thewelding mechanism also movable along the elongated work support andadapted to deposit granulated flux on work on the support. Means may beprovided for connecting the flux carrier to the welding mechanism formovement therewith along the elongated work support. The flux carrierpreferably has means for separating chunks from granulated flux andretaining the chunks. It may have an'inclined screen through whichgranulated flux passes and a receptacle for receiving chunks slidingdown the inclined screen; The flux carrier may have a hopper receivinggranulated flux passing through the screen and directing the granulatedflux onto work on carried by the other thereof together with means forrelatively rectilinearly shifting the driving element and the drivenelement into and out of operative driving relationship to permit manualshifting of the welding mechanism along the work support with thedriving means inoperative. Resilient means may be provided urging thedriving element and the driven element into operative drivingrelationship together with means operable when it is desired to renderthe driving means inoperative to separate by rectilinear movement thedriving element and the driven element against the action of theresilient means. The driving means may comprise a motor and a piniondriven by the motor and may be carried by the welding mechanism and arack may be carried by the work support. In such case means are providedfor shifting the motor and pinion rectilinearly to move the pinion intomeans may be provided for shifting the motor and pinion rectilinearlyagainst the action of the resilient means t move the pinion out of meshwith the rack.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent asthe'following description of a present preferred embodimentthereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings have shown a'present preferred embodimentof the invention in which 7 FIGURE '1 is a partial side. elevationalview of welding apparatus; 7 I FIGURE 2'is a plan view of the apparatu'sshown in FIGURE 1; g 7 i Y FIGURE 3 is a partial side elevational viewshowing a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 and also rollerwelding apparatus cooperating therewith;

FIGURE 4 is a partial vertical transverse cross-sectional view toenlarged scale taken on the line IV-W of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the portion of the weldingapparatus shown in FIGURE 4 as viewed from the right in that figure;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view toenlarged scale taken on the line VI-VI of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical transverse cross sectional view takenon the line VII-VII of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical transverse crosssectional view takenon the line VIIIVIII of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary vertical transverse crosssectional view takenon the line IXIX of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary vertical transverse crosssectional view takenon the line X-X of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view partly in vertical cross section of theroller welding apparatus shown at the left-hand end of FIGURE 3 asviewed from the right in that figure.

FIGURE 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line XII-XIIof FIGURE 11; and

FIGURE 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical connectionsof the welding apparatus.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown anelongated work support designated generally by reference numeral 2 whichis of generally pan shape in cross section, having a central workreceiving portion 3 and parallel upstanding side flanges 4 and 5. Anoutwardly projecting foot 6 is formed at the top of the flange 4. Anupward extension 7 is connected with the flange 5.

The work support 2 is carried upon standards 8 mounted upon the floor,each of the standards 8 having a transverse horizontal top member 9which underlies and supports the work support 2 and also projectslaterally therefrom as shown at 10. At their outer extremities themembers 9 carry a longitudinal track 11 for a purpose to be presentlydescribed.

Mounted atop the work support 2 for movement longitudinally thereof iswelding mechanism carried by a carriage designated generally byreference numeral 12. The welding mechanism carriage 12 comprises flatwheels 13 which ride on the foot 6 atop the flange 4 and flanged wheels14 which ride on the extension 7 atop the flange 5, the flanges of thewheels 14 embracing the extension 7 whereby the carriage 12 is guidedfor movement along the work support 2.

The carriage 12 has a vertically extending bracket 15 in which operatesa vertical slide 16 carrying an electric motor 17. The shaft of themotor 17 is connected through reduction and bevel gearing in a gear box18 with a horizontal shaft 19 to which is fixed a pinion 20. Connectedwith the extension 7 and extending longitudinally of the work support 2is a rack 21. A compression coil spring 22 exerts resilient pressureupwardly against a lateral extension 2 3 at the top of the slide 16, thespring 22 normally maintaining the pinion 2t) in mesh with the rack 21.When the motor 17 is energized the shaft 19 turns and with it the pinion26 which is fixed to that shaft. When the pinion 2% is in mesh with therack 21 turning of the pinion which is carried by the carriage 12.causes the carriage and the welding mechanism carried thereby to movelongitudinally of the work support 2. The motor 17 is a reversible motorwhich can be operated in either direction to drive the carriage ineither direc tion along the work support.

The carriage 12 carries a bracket 24 to which is pivoted at 25 a cammember 26 which lies above the extension 23 of the slide 16. A link 27is pivoted to the cam member 2d at 28 and to a lever 29 at 30. The lever30 is pivoted to the carriage at 31 and has its extremity extendingsomewhat laterally outwardly relatively to the work support 2 where itis provided with a hand grip 32. In FIG- URE 4 the pinion 20 is shown inmesh with the rack 21. When the lever 29 is pulled outwardly (toward thebottom of FIGURE 2) the cam member 26 is forced down against the top ofthe extension 23 which moves the slide 16 carrying the motor 17 and thepinion 20 rectilinearly downwardly so that the pinion 20 is disengagedfrom the rack 21, permitting manual shifting of the welding mechanismalong the work support 2 with the driving means for the weldingmechanism inoperative. Such manual shifting may be accomplished bygrasping the handle 37 rigidly connected with the carriage.

When the cam member 26 reaches vertical position its flat bottom face 33lies against the flat top face of the extension 23 latching the drivingmeans for the welding mechanism in inoperative position. When the lever29 is pushed inwardly so that it turns in the counterclockwise directionabout the pivot 31 viewing FIGURE 2, the cam member 26 is moved back tothe position shown in FIG- URE 4, and the spring 22 raises the slide 16carrying the motor 17 and the pinion 26 until the pinion 20 meshes withthe rack 21 as shown in FIGURE 4 providing for driving of the carriage12 along the work support 2.

Current to the welding mechanism is delivered through conductors 3dextending generally along the work support 2 and supported by the track11 through rollers 35 and depending hangers 36. When the weldingmechanism 12 is toward the right-hand end of the work support 2 viewingFIGURE 1 the hangers 36 are bunched together at the right-hand end ofthe work support. As the welding mechanism moves toward the left viewingFIGURE 1, the hangers are more widely spaced apart. The conductors 34are festooned between the hangers 36 so that in all positions of thewelding mechanism on the carriage 12 along the work support 2 theconductors are held up and do not drag on the floor.

A link track is adapted to be laid out longitudinally on the worksupport 2. The track may be of conventional shape as shown, for example,in copending application Serial No. 836,370, filed August 27, 1959, nowPatent No. 3,109,919 (see FIGS. 8 and 9 thereof). The face portions ofeach link to be built up are shaped symmetrically about the center lineof the track so it is feasible to use two welding nozzles dispose-dequidistantly from the center line of the track at opposite sides of thecenter line, the Welding nozzles and the means cooperating therewith inwelding operating in synchronism since at any given time they will bothbe either operative or inoperative. Conventional means may be providedfor moving the welding nozzles simultaneously toward each other orsimultaneously away from each other at the same speed so that in allpositions the welding nozzles are equidistant from the center line ofthe track being acted upon. The welding nozzles and the meanscooperating therewith in welding are rendered operative simultaneouslyso that they both apply an elongated weld deposit or head to the track.The means for rendering the welding mechanism operative and inoperativewill now be described, but such means will be described in connectionwith one welding nozzle and the means cooperating therewith in welding,it being understood that both such nozzles and cooperating means aresimultaneously similarly operated.

Mounted outside the flange 4 of the elongated work support 2 by mountingelements 39 is a bar 38 of electroconductive material which extendslongitudinally of the work support. The bar 38 is connected by means ofa conductor 86 (FIGURE 13) with one terminal of a source of electriccurrent and forms part of a secondary control circuit presently to bedescribed. The control mechanism may be disposed in a box 153.

The carriage 12 has an apron 4-0 which extends downwardly at one sidethereof covering the bar 38. Mounted on the inner face of the apron 4athrough brackets 41 and 42 is a rack 43 which is slidable in thebrackets ll and 42 in the direction of the length of the elongated worksupport 2. Mounted for rotation in the apron do is a shaft 44 to whichis fixed a pinion 45 meshing with the rack 43. A knob 46 is fastened tothe outer end of the shaft as for turning that shaft and hence thepinion 45 and thereby moving the rack 43 longitudinally of the elongatedwork support 2.

Fixed to the rack 43 is a bracket 47 of insulating material whichcarries beneath the bar 38 a mounting member 48 in which is pivotallymounted at 4% a lever 54 A torsion spring 51 urges the lever upwardly orto turn in the clockwise direction viewing FIGURES 6 and 13. At itsupper extremity the lever has a cross pin 52 on which are rotatablymounted an insulating roller 53 which may, for example, be of nylon anda conducting roller 54 of any suitable conducting material. By aconductor 87 the conducting roller 54 is through the mounting member 43,the pivot pin 2-9, the lever 56 and the cross pin 52 electricallyconnected with a terminal 88 of a reversing switch 39. The insulatingroller 53 rolls along the under side of the bar 38 when the carriagemoves along the work support and since it is an insulating roller nocurrent passes through it. However, whenever the electroconductiveroller 54- is electrically connected with the bar 33 a secondary controlcircuit through the conductors 86 and $7 and the terminal 88 isenergized as will presently be described.

Mounted onthe rack 43 for movement therealong is a traveler 59comprising rollers 60 which ride atop the rack and generally verticalopposed plates 61 which lie at opposite faces of the rack as shown inFIGURE 9. Below the rack the plates 61 are maintained in proper spacedrelation by spacers 62. lournaled in the plates 1 is a shaft as to whichis fixed a pinion d4 meshing with the rack 43. A knob 65 is fastened tothe outer end of the shaft 63 for turning that shaft and hence thepinion 64 and thereby moving the traveler 5% along the rack 43. Theshaft 63 extends through an elongated slot 165 in the apron providingfor travel of the shaft 63% relatively to the apron when the knob 65 isturned and also when the knob :36 is turned.

Fixed to the traveler 59 is a bracket 7% of insulating material whichcarries beneath the bar 33 a mounting member '71 in which is pivotallymounted at 72 a lever 73. A torsion spring 74 urges the lever upwardlyor to turn in the counterclockwise direction viewing FIG- URES 6 and 13.At its upper extremity the lever 73 has a cross pin 75 on which arerotatably mounted an insulating roller 76 which may, for example, be ofnylon and a conducting roller 77 of any suitable conducting material. Bya conductor 2d the conducting roller 77 is through the mounting member'71, the pivot pin 72, the lever 73 and the cross pin 75 electricallyconnected wit a terminal 91 of the reversing switch 39. The insulatingroller 7d rolls along the under side of the bar 38 when a the carriagemoves along the work support and since it is an insulating roller nocurrent passes through it. However, when the electroconductive roller 77is electrically connected with the bar 38 a secondary control circuitthroughthe conductors and 9 and the ter minal @l is energized as willpresently be described.

The purpose of the knob id first described above is;

to position rack 43 which serves as a carrier for the rollers in desiredadjusted position relatively to the welding mechanism while the purposeof the knob 65 is to adjust the distance between the rollers 54 and 77.'The distance between those rollers can be accurately adjustedbyvirtue'of the provision of a plate 65 carrying a scale which ismounted'on a stud 67 connected by a' bracket 68 with the rack 4-3, thestud projecting through the slot 165 so that the plate is at the outsideof the apron The plate as has a slot as through which the shaft 63passes. The plate 66 is stationary with respect to the bracket 47 whichcarries the roller 54. The roller '77 is as above described carried bythe bracket 7%) fastened to the traveler 59, and by reading the scale onthe plate 66 the distance between the rollers 54 and 77 may beaccurately determined.

Ranged along the bar 43 and hence along the work support 2 are a seriesof spaced apart actuating elements 55. The actuating elements are madeof electroconductive material and each comprises a generallychannelshaped body 56 adapted to substantially embrace the bar 38 and tobe fastened thereto in desired adjusted position by a set screW' 58 andan electroconductive active portion or detent 57 projecting somewhatlaterally and downwardly from the body 56 as shown in FIGURE 4 r so thatas the carriage 12 moves along the Work support 2 the detents 57 of theactuating elements 55 are successively engaged by the conducting rollers54 and 77. Engagement of the conducting roller 54 or 77 with each detent57 causes the lever Stl or 73 to be slightly depressed against theaction of the spring 51 or 74 and as soon as the roller 54 or 77 haspassed out of contact with an actuating element the spring returns thelever to its normal position with the roller 53 or 76 riding along theunder face of the bar 38. Engagement of the roller 54 or 77 with eachdetent 57 energizes a secondary control circuit through the conductors86 and 87 and the terminal 83 or a secondary control circuit through theconductors 86 and 90 and the terminal 71 as the case may be. r g 7 Twowelding nozzles 78am carried by the carriage 1 2 at the left-hand endthereof viewing FIGURES l, 2 and 3 and are adapted fortransverse'adjustment in conventional manner. The welding nozzles arealso adapted for Vertical adjustment in conventional manner. Knobs areshown for transversely adjusting the welding nozczles and knobs areshown for vertically adjusting the welding nozzles. Associated with eachof the welding nozzles 78 are feeding means 811. for feeding a weldingelectrode or welding wire which feed Welding wire 82 from one of twocontainers 33 containing welding wire coiled about a vertical axis, eachof the containers 83 being carried by an auxiliary support 84 mounted onthe carriage A rod 85 supports the welding wire 52 as it moves from thecontainers 83 to the feeding means 81. Both feeding means operatesimultaneously so description of the operating mechanism for one willsufiice for both The feeding means 81 may be of conventional form aswell known to those skilled in the art and hence will not be describedin detail. During welding they advance the welding wire to the nozzles,and simultaneously with the advancement of the welding wire the weldingcircuit is energized as well known to those skilled in the art. Theconductors for conducting the welding current to the nozzles aredesignated by reference numeral 129; the circuitry of the weldingmechanism per so may be conventional and hence is not shown or describedin detail.

Preferably submerged arc welding is employed. The

carriage 12 carries atlux hopper $2 which delivers granu lated fluxthrough tubes 93 to the welding nozzles 78.

The flux hopper M and the flux delivery tubes 93 may likewise beconventional as lmown to those skilled in the art. i 1 i V The workbeing'welded which lies o'n'the work support 2 may be covered withgranulated flux at the start of welding or may be coveredwith'granulated flux progressively as the 'welding'progresses. A fluxcarrier designated generally by reference numeral' d is provided whichhas wheels 55 similar to the wheels on which the carriage 12 the iiuxcarrier separately from; the carriage.- Ineither case the ilu'x'carrier94- comprises a structural frame 97' is mounted and which s milarly ridealong the work'sup' port. The ilux carrier 94 may, if desired, beconnected .with the carriage 12 by a suitable coupling 9% to move withthe carriage, although it may be preferred to operate containing ahopper 98 whose outlet 99 may be closed by a slideable closure plate100. Mounted on the structural frame 97 beside the lower portion of thehopper 98 is a container 101 for chunks of flux or slag produced inwelding. The upper portion of the structural frame 97 is inclined and aninclined screen 1&2 is mounted therein. Flux deposited on the inclinedscreen 1112 gravitates downwardly along the screen, particles smallenough to pass through the screen dropping into the hopper 93 and chuckstoo large to pass through the screen sliding down the screen anddropping into the container 1 11. A deflecting plate 103 guides thechucks into the container.

The flux carrier may be traversed along the work support prior towelding with the outlet 99 of the hopper 98 open to deposit granulatedflux on the work. At the end of a welding pass or at the conclusion ofthe work on a particular chain the flux and slag lying in the worksupport may be removed from the work support and deposited on the screen162 of the flux carrier 94 and recirculated control circuit comprisesconductors 104 and 105 which are connected respectively with terminals106 and 1127 of a relay designated generally by reference numeral 1118which comprises a coil 109. The terminals 106 and it)? are connectedrespectively with spaced apart stationary contacts 110. The armature 111of the relay 168 has a contact 112 adapted when the armature 111 ismoved toward the left from the position shown in FIGURE 13 toelectrically connect the spaced apart stationary contacts 110 andenergize the welding control circuit. When the welding control circuitis energized the welding wire is fed to the nozzles and the weldingcurrent is activated. When the welding control circuit is deenergizedfeeding of the welding wire is stopped and the welding current isdeactivated. The armature 111 has a projecting latch portion 113 asshown in FIGURE 13 for a purpose to be presently described.

Mounted in opposed relationship to the relay 108 is a relay 114 whichcomprises a coil 115. The relay 114 has an armature 116 similar to thearmature 111 of the relay 108, the armature 116 having a projectinglatch portion 117 similar to the projecting latch portion 113 of thearmature 111 of the relay 1&8. Both of the armatures 111 and 116 arespring pressed away from their respective coils 109 and 115. When eithercoil is energized the armature 111 or 116 as the case may be is drawntoward its coil and the projecting latch portion 113 or 117 of the otherarmature moves to latching position with respect to the projecting latchportion of the first mentioned armature to hold it in position againstits coil even after the coil has been deenergized. The armatures 111 and116 will remain so positioned until the opposite V coil is energizedwhen they will reverse positions with the armature which is drawn towardits coil being latched in that position by the projecting latch portionof the other armature even after the coil has been deenergized. InFIGURE 13 the armature 111 is shown as holding the armature 116 inposition against the coil 115 by latching contact of the projectinglatch portion 113 under the end of the projecting latch portion 117. Theparts remain in that position until the coil 109 is energized when theyreverse positions as above explained.

The reversing switch 89 is provided so that the secondary controlcircuits will operate properly in both direci6 connecting a terminal 118of the switch with a terminal 119 of the coil 109 by a conductor 12d andconnecting a terminal 121 of the switch with a terminal 122 of the coilby a conductor 123. A conductor 124 in the switch connects the terminals83 and 121 while a conductor 125 in the switch connects the terminals 91and 118.

The second terminal 126 of the coil 109 and the second terminal 127 ofthe coil 115 are connected by a conductor 128 to the opposite side ofthe source of electric current to which the conductor 86 extends tocomplete the secondary control circuits.

With the parts in the position shown in FIGURE 13 the welding has beeninterrupted and the carriage 12 carrying with it the rollers 54 and 77is moving toward the left while the welding nozzles are beginning totraverse a gap between links. The roller 54 is shown as being in contactwith one of the detents 57 which in FIGURE 13 is designated A. Thus acircuit is completed through 86, 3-8, 54, 87, 88, 124-, 121 and 123 tothe terminal 122 of the coil 11 5 and back to the source oi power fromthe terminal 127 of the coil 115 through the conductor 128. The coil 115is energized, drawing the armature 116 to the right to the positionshown in FIGURE 13, the spring actuating the armature 11:1 projectingthat armature to the right to latch the armature 116 in the positionshown. When the roller 54 passes out of contact with the detent A thecoil 115 is deenergized but the armature 116 is maintained in theposition shown by the latching action of the armature 1 11.

The carriage 1 2 continues the movement toward the left viewing FIGURE13 without welding until the roller 7'7 contacts the next de'tent 57which in FIGURE 13 is designated B. That results in completing a circuitthrough as, 38, 77, 9t), 91, 125, 118 and to the terminal 119 of thecoil 109 and back to the source of power from the terminal .126 of thecoil 1119 through the conductor 1 28. The coil 1139 is energized,drawing the armature 1 1 1 to the left viewing FIGURE 13, the springactuating the armature 116 projecting that armature to the left to latchthe armature 1 11 in position against the coil 169. The contact 112completes the circuit between the spaced apart station-ary contacts 11%and energizes the welding control circuit through the conductors 1M and165. Energization of the welding control circuit causes feeding of theWelding wire and reactivation of the welding circuit so that welding isresumed. As mentioned above, the circuitry of the welding mechanism perse is well known to those skilled in the art. The welding is resumedwhen the welding nozzles reach the near edge of the face of the nextlink on which a head is to be deposited.

Welding continues until the roller 54 contacts the detent B when thecondition shown in FIGURE 13 is reestablished resulting in movement ofthe arr-matures 111 and 116 back to the position shown in FIGURE 13where they remain until the roller 77 engages the next detent 57 to theleft of the detent B viewing FIGURE 13 as the carriage progresses.

In setting up the apparatus preparatory to welding, the carriage 12 ismoved along the work support 2 to position the welding nozzles 73accurately at the point Where the depositing of beads of weld metal onthe first link at one end of a chain which has been laid out and proper-1 arranged on and fastened to the work support is to be commenced. Forexample, suppose that the first pass of the welding mechanism along thework support is to be from right to left viewing FIGURES 1, 2 and 3.After the welding nozzles have been positioned as just stated, the rack43 is moved from right to left viewing FIGURE 6 until the roller '77just makes electrical contact with the first actuating element 55.Engagement of the roller 77 with the first actuating element 55 closes acircuit through a conductor 179, an electric light 171, a conductor 172and the conductor 128 to the source of power and thence back-through theconductor 86 and the bar 38. Lighting of the electric light 171evidences that the control mechanism is properly set to commence weldingat the proper point on the first link.

The carriage 12 is then moved along the work support 2 to position thewelding nozzles '78 accurately at the point where the depositing ofbeads of weld metal on the first link is to be discontinued. The roller54 is then moved along the rack 43 from right to left viewing FIG- URE 6until it just makes electrical contact with the first actuating element55. Engagement of the roller 54 with the first actuating element 55closes a circuit through a conductor 173, an electric light 114, theconductor 172 and the conductor 128 to the source of power and thenceback through the conductor as and the bar 3%. Lighting of the electriclight 174 evidences that the control mechanism is properly set todiscontinue welding at the proper point on the first link. Since thelinks are uniform this setting suiiices for all welding on the chain forwhich it is set. The electric lights 171 and 174 may be located at anyconvenient position, for example on the outside of the apron 4d.

As above stated, the electroconductive active portion or detent 5'7 ofeach actuating element 55 is of insubstantial dimension in the directionor" spacing apart of the actuating element, i.e., it is a thin piece ofsheet metal. This has an important advantage in operation of the weldingapparatus. A slight but nevertheless definite time lag or intervaloccurs between the initial contact between the roller 54 or the roller77 and an actuating element 55 and the actual commencement of welding orthe actual discontinuance of welding as the case may be. During thattime interval the welding mechanism is moving along the work support.The roller remains in contact with the actuating element through asubstantial arc of rotation of the roller which may be of the order ofThe time lag between initial contact of the roller and the actuatingelement and the actual commencement of welding or the actualdiscontinuance of welding as the case may be is just about equal to thetime it takes the roller to turn through half of the total angle ofcontact, or, in the example given, 15. Thus the welding actuallycommences or stops when the axis of the roller is directly underneaththe actuating element.

The sequence of operations just described occurs in each-direction ofmovement of the welding mechanism along the work support. Due to thefact that the election of movement of the carriage 12 along the worksup-' port 2 is reversed. If the olectroconductive active portions ofthe actuating elcmentswere of substantial dimension in the direction ofspacing apart of the actuating elements along the work support therollers would have to be adjusted at the beginning of each pass.

' The control mechanism above described is relatively simple andinexpensive yet is substantially foolproof and highly reliable inoperation. Actuating elements are of course disposed along the bar 38 atthe beginning of welding to insure stopping and starting of the weldingat the properpoints on each link. The initial positioning of theactuating elements 55 may be accomplished manually or automatically asdisclosed in copending applies tion Serial No. 152,827, filed November16, 1961.

Provision is made for doubling the utility of the feeding means 81. The"function of the feeding means 31 has been described above in connectionwith welding track link on the elongated work support 2. By a novelcombination'of elements the same feeding means may 155' may pass throughthe sleeve 1% as indicated in FlG-.

URE 12 and be fastened to the sleeve to turn therewith,

12 be used for welding rollers, i.e., for depositing beads of weld metalon the peripheral surfaces of rollers to build up the rollers after theyhave become worn. Provision is made for thus reiacing rollers of widelyvarying diameters, all by using the same fee-ding means 31 as are usedin the refacing of track links.

here is provided a standard 13% Which is disposed adjacent the left-handend of the work support 2 viewing FIGURE 3. Carried by the standardthrough a curved bracket 131 is a mounting member 132 on which aremounted in generally vertical orientation two welding nozzles 133.Conventional means are provided for aidjusting the nozzles horizontallyand vertically. The knobs 13 are for horizontal adjustment of thenozzles and the knobs 135 are for vertical adjustment of the nozzles. Aflux hopper 136 is provided from which extend tubes 137 which deliverflux to the welding zones or. the nozzles 133.

Mounted'in the standard 1311 at anelevation below that of the nozzles133 is a head 138. The head 13% has a trunnion 13% which extends throughthe standard 13% and is journaled therein for rotation. A gear 140 isprovided on the end of the trunnion 139. Mounted on a bracket 141carried by the standard 130 is a gear box 1 12 having a projecting shaft143 to which is fastened a pinion 144 in mesh with the gear 14%. Ahandle 145 is provided for turning the gear train in the gear box 142which turns the pinion 144 and hence the gear 140 so that the head 138may be turned to any desired angular position. This as will be seenprovides for Welding peripheral faces of rollers which are angularlydisposed with respect to the axes of the rollers.

lournaled for rotation in the head 138 are two sleeves 146 and 147 whoseaxes are parallel. Fixed to the sleeve 146 are a gear 143 and a sprocket149. Fixed to the sleeve 147 is a sprocket 1-51). A sprocket chain 151is trained about the sprockets 149 and 15% and about a tightener 152.Carried by the head 138 is a motor 153 driving through reduction gearinga pinion 154 which meshes with the gear 148. Thus the motor 153 drivesboth the sleeve 1% and the sleeve 147, the sleeve 1% turning at a fasterspeed in revolutions per minute than the sleeve 147. The drive forsleeves 14d and 147 is designed to rotate rollers coupled to thosesleeves at comparable peripheral speeds, it being understood thatrollers of relatively small diameter are adapted to be coupled to thesleeve 146 which is relatively close to the nozzles 133 while rollers ofrelatively great diameter are adapted to be coupled to sleeve 147 whichis relatively remote from the nozzles 133.

A roller to be refaced is adapted to be mounted on a spindle 155 betweenconical heads 156. The spindle is adapted to be coupled to either thesleeve 146 or the sleeve 147 depending upon the diameter'of the rollerto be re-' faced. The spindle may be coupled" to the sleeve l le or thesleeve 147 in various ways. For example, the spindle as for example, bya pin or set screw 157. Mounted on the spindle 155 are the opposedconical heads 156 adapted to engage the roller being welded at oppositeaxial ends. The right-hand conical head 156 viewing v and 12 is adaptedto butt against the mounting for the sleeve to which it is'coupled andthe other conical head 156 is adapted to be pressed against the .rollerby a spring 1159 held on the'end of the spindle by a nut 161 The rolleris coupled to the sleeve ldfi'or the sleeve 14?, the sleeve beingselected which will'eifect posi- "tioning of the roller with theperipheral surface thereof which is to be refac'ed disposed just belowthenozzles 133. The nozzles 13 3 are adjusted vertically as necessary toapply beads of weld metal to the peripheral surface of the roller. 7 Ias'coupled to the upper sleeve 1% in position to be refaced by weldingthrough the nozzles 133. The 'nozzles iii-FIGURE 3 a roller 161 is shownmaybe traversed axially of theroller being refacedeither l3 manually orautomatically. For automatic traversing motor driven traversing meansmay be provided which may be actuated by relays 162 tripped on eachrevolution of the corresponding sleeve by a pin projecting from the gear148 or the sprocket 150. The relay may actuate the traversing means totraverse the nozzles for a predetermined time which may be set asdesired so that the traverse per revolution of the welding nozzlesrelatively to the roller being refaced is such that the beads of weldmetal deposited thereon will lie side by side in desired relation. Suchtraversing mechanism is known to those skilled in the art.

When a roller is to be refaced the carriage 12 is moved to the end ofthe work support 2 as shown in FIGURE 3 and conductors 163 are connectedwith the conductors 129 and extend to the nozzles 133 to conduct thewelding current to those nozzles. Each of the four nozzlestwo nozzles 78and two nozzles TUE-has its own flexible guide tube for guiding thewelding wire from one of the feeding means 81 to the nozzle. Theflexible guide tubes for the nozzles 78 are designated 164 and theflexible guide tubes for the nozzles 133 are designated 166. When atrack is to be refaced the flexible guide tubes 164 are coupled to thefeeding means 81 to guide the welding wire fed by the feeding means tothe nozzles 78. The feeding means per se may be conventional. When aroller is to be refaced the flexible guide tubes 164 are uncoupled fromthe feeding means 81 and the flexible guide tubes 166 are coupled to thefeeding means to guide the welding wire controlled by the feeding meansto the nozzles 133. Thus the same feeding means perform double duty,feeding welding electrodes or wire for the refacing of track links andfor the refacing of rollers.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of theinvention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scopeof the following claims.

I claim:

1. Welding apparatus comprising a work support, welding mechanism, meansfor relatively moving the work support and the welding mechanism tocause the welding mechanism to act successively on portions of workcarried by the work support, a series of spaced apart actuating elementsranged along the work support, a carrier adjustably positionablerelatively to the welding mechanism in the direction of spacing apart ofthe actuating elements, control means carried by the carrier comprisingtwo control devices which successively come into cooperativerelationship with each actuating element during relative movementbetween the work support and the welding mechanism, one initiatingoperation of the welding mechanism and the other terminating operationof the welding mechanism, and means for adjustably positioning at leastone of the control devices on the carriage in the direction of spacingapart of the actuating elements.

2. Welding apparatus comprising a stationary work support, weldingmechanism, means for moving the welding mechanism along the work supportto cause the welding mechanism to act successively on portions of workcarried by the work support, a series of spaced apart actuating elementsranged along the work support, a carrier adjustably positionablerelatively to the welding mechanism in the direction of spacing apart ofthe actuating elements, control means carried by the carrier comprisingtwo control devices which successively come into cooperativerelationship with each actuating element during movement of the weldingmechanism along the work support, one initiating operation of thewelding mechanism and the other terminating operation of the weldingmechanism,

. and means for adjustably positioning at least one of the controldevices on the carriage in the direction of spacing apart of theactuating elements.

3. Welding apparatus comprising a work support, weldsupport and thewelding mechanism to cause the welding mechanism to act successively onportions of work carried by the work support, a series of spaced apartactuating elements having electroconductive active portions ranged alongthe Work support, electroconductive roller contact means connected tothe welding mechanism so as to contact the electroconductive activeportions of the series of spaced apart actuating elements duringrelative movement between the work support and the welding mechanism andmeans constituting an electric circuit through the roller contact means,the electroconductive active portion of each actuating element and thewelding mechanism which is closed upon contact between theelectroconductive roller contact means and the electroconductive activeportion of such actuating element to alternately initiate and terminateoperation of the welding mechanism.

4. Welding apparatus comprising a work support, welding mechanism, meansfor relatively moving the Work support and the welding mechanism tocause the welding mechanism to act successively on portions of workcarried by the Work support, a series of spaced apart actuating elementshaving electroconductive active portions of insubstantial dimension inthe direction of spacing apart of the actuating elements ranged alongthe work support, electroconductive roller contact means connected tothe welding mechanism so as to contact the electroconductive activeportions of the series of spaced apart actuating elements duringrelative movement between the work support and the welding mechanism andmeans constituting an electric circuit through the roller means, theelectroconductive active portion of each actuating element and thewelding mechanism which is closed upon contact between theelectroconductive roller contact means and the electroconductive activeportion of such actuating element to alternately initiate and terminateoperation of the welding mechanism.

5. Welding apparatus comprising a work support, welding mechanism, meansfor relatively moving the work support and the welding mechanism tocause the welding mechanism to act successively on portions of workcarried by the work support, a series of spaced apart actuating elementshaving electroconductive active portions ranged along the work support,two control devices connected to the welding mechanism each comprisingelectroconductive roller contact means which successively contact theelectroconductive active portions of the series of spaced apartactuating elements during relative movement between the work support andthe welding mechanism and means constituting an electric circuit througheach roller contact means, the electroconductive active portion of eachactuating element and the welding mechanism which is closed upon contactbetween each roller contact means and the electroconductive portion ofsuch actuating element to alternately initiate and terminate operationof the welding mechanism.

6. Welding apparatus comprising a work support, welding mechanism, meansfor relatively moving the work support and the welding mechanism tocause the Welding mechanism to act successively on portions of Workcarried by the work support, a series of spaced apart actuating elementshaving electroconductive active portions of insubstantial dimension inthe direction of spacing apart of the actuating elements ranged alongthe work support, two control devices connected to the Welding mechanismeach comprising electroconductive roller contact means whichsuccessively contact the electroconductive active portions of the seriesof spaced apart actuating elements during relative movement between thework support and the welding mechanism and means constituting anelectric circuit through each roller contact means, theelectroconductive active portion of each actuating element and thewelding mechanism which is closed upon contact between each rollercontact means and the electroconduciii tive portion of such actuatingelement to alternately initiate and terminate operation of the weldingmechanism.

7. Welding apparatus comprising a work support, welding mechanism, meansfor relatively moving the work support and the welding mechanism tocause the welding mechanism to act successively on portions of workcarried by the Work support, a series of spaced apart actuating elementshaving electroconductive active portions ranged along the work support,electroconductive contact means connected to the welding mechanism,guiding means guiding the electroconductive contact means along the worksupport during relative movement between the work sup port and thewelding mechanism, the guiding means guiding the electroconductivecontact means in a path to contact the electroconductive active portionsof the series of spaced apart actuating elements (luring relativemovement between the work support and the welding mechanism and meansconstituting an electric circuit through the electroconductive contactmeans, the electroconductive por tion of each actuating element and thewelding mechanism which is closed upon contact between theelectroconductive contact means and the electroconductive portion ofsuch actuating element but permitting limited resilient retraction ofthe electroconductive contact means upon contact with the activeportions of the actuating elements, whereby to alternately initiate andterminate operation of the Welding mechanism.

8. Welding apparatus comprising a work support, welding mechanism, meansfor relatively moving the Work support and the welding mechanism tocause the welding mechanism to act successively on portions of workcarried by the work support, a series of spaced apart actuating elementshaving electroconductive active portions ranged along the work support,two control devices connected to the welding mechanism each comprisingelectroconductive contact means, each control device being provided withguiding means guiding the control device along the work support duringrelative movement between the work support and the welding mechanism,the guiding means guiding the control device in a path to cause theelectroconductive contact means thereof to contact the electroconductiveactive portions of the series of spaced apart actuating elements, andmeans constituting an electric circuit through each contact means theelectroconductive active portion of each actuating element and thewelding mechanism which is closed upon contact between theelectroconductive contact means and the electroconductive active portionof such actuating element but permitting limited resilient retraction ofthe control device upon contact with the active portions of theactuating elements, whereby to alternately initiate and terminateoperation of the welding mechanism.

9. Welding apparatus comprising a work support, welding mechanism, meansfor relatively moving the work supportand the welding mechanism to causethe welding mechanism to act successively on portions of work carried bythe work support, a series or" spaced'apart actuating elements havingelectroconductive active portions ranged -=along the work support,electroconductive roller contact means connected to the Weldingmechanism, the electroconductive roller contact means being providedwith guide roll means guiding the electroconductive roller contact meansalong the work support during relative movement between the work supportand welding mechanism, the

guide roll means guiding the electroconductive roller contact means in'apath to contact the active portions of the series of spaced apartactuating elements, and means constituting an electric circuit throughthe electroconductive roller contact means, the electroconductive activeportion of each actuating element and the welding mechanism which isclosedv upon contact between the electroconductive roller contact meansand the electroconductive active portion of such actuating element butpermitting limited resilient retraction of the electroconductive rollercontact means upon contact with the active portions of the actumechanismto act successively on portions of work carried by the Work support, aseries of spaced apart actuating elements having electroconductiveactive portions ranged along the work support, two control devicesconnected to the welding mechanism each comprising electroconductiveroller contact means, each clectroconductive roller contact means beingprovided with a guide roll guiding the electroconductive roller contactmeans along the work support during relative movement between the worksupport and the welding mechanism, the guide roll guiding theelectrocondu'ctive roller contact means in a path to contact the activeportions of the series of spaced apart actuating elements, and meansconstituting an electric circuit through the electroconductive rollercontact means, the electroconductive active portion of each actuatingelement and the welding mechanism which is closed upon contact betweenthe electroconductive roller contact means and the electroconductiveactive portion of such actuating element but permitting limitedresilient retraction of the electroconductive roller contact means uponcontact with the active portions of the actuating elements, whereby toalternately initiate and terminate operation of the welding mechanism.

11. Welding apparatus comprising a work support, welding mechanism,means for relatively moving the work support and the welding mechanismto cause the welding mechanism to act successively on portions of workcarried by the work support, a series of spaced apart actuating elementshaving electroconductive active portions of insubstantial dimension inthe direction of spacing apart of the actuating elements ranged alongthe Work support, electroconductive roller contact means connected tothe welding. mechanism which successively contact the electroconductiveactive portions of the series of spaced apart actuating elements duringrelative movement between the work support and the welding mechanism andmeans constituting an electric circuit through the electroconductiveroller contact means, the electroconductive.active portion of eachactuating element and the welding mechanism which is closed upon contactbetween the electrocdnductive roller contact means and theelectroconductive active portion of such actuating element whereby toalternately initiate and terminate operation of the welding mechanism. i

12. Welding apparatus comprising a work support,

weldingmechanism, means for relatively moving the work support and thewelding mechanism to cause the welding mechanism to act successively onportions of work to the welding mechanism, the electroconductive rollercontact means being provided with guide roll means guiding theelectroconductive roller contact means along the -work support duringrelative movemennt between the Work support and welding mechanism, theguide roll means guiding the electroconductive roller contact means in apath to contact the electroconductive active portions of the series ofspaced apart actuating elements, and means constituting an electriccircuit through the e'lectroconductive roller-contact means, theelectroconductive active portion of each actuating element and thewelding mechanism which is closed upon contact between the'electroconductive roller contact means and the electroconductive activeportion of such actuating element but permitting limited resilientretraction of the'electroconductive roller contact'means upon contactwith the electroconductive active portions of the actuating elements sothat,

17 18 the elcctroconductive roller contact means contact the 2,602,8697/52 Peck et a1. 219-125 electroconductive active portion of eachactuating element 2,690,493 9/54 Schaefer 219-430 throughout asubstantial angle of rotation of the electro- 2,773,910 1/57 Landis eta1 conductive roller contact means whereby to alternately 3,109,92111/63 Anderson initiate and terminate operation of the welding mecha- 5nism. RICHARD M. WOOD, Primary Examiner.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH V. TRUHE,Examiner.

945,472 1/10 Moores 20047 10

1. WELDING APPARATUS COMPRISING A WORK SUPPORT, WELDING MECHANISM, MEANSFOR RELATIVELY MOVING THE WORK SUPPORT AND THE WELDING MECHANISM TOCAUSE THE WELDING MECHANISM TO ACT SUCCESSIVELY ON PORTIONS OF WORKCARRIED BY THE WORK SUPPORT, A SERIES OF SPACED APART ACTUATING ELEMENTSRANGED ALONG THE WORK SUPPORT, A CARRIER ADJUSTABLY POSITIONABLERELATIVELY TO THE WELDING MECHANISM IN THE DIRECTION OF SPACING APART OFTHE ACTUATING ELEMENTS, CONTROL MEANS CARRIED BY THE CARRIER COMPRISINGTWO CONTROL DEVICES WHICH SUCCESSIVELY COME INTO COOPERATIVERELATIONSHIP WITH EACH ACTUATING ELEMENT DURING RELATIVE MOVEMENTBETWEEN THE WORK SUPPORT AND THE WELDING MECHANISM, ONE INITIATINGOPERATION OF THE WELDING MECHANISM AND THE OTHER TERMINATING OPERATIONOF THE WELDING MECHANISM, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY POSITIONING AT LEASTONE OF THE CONTROL DEVICES ON THE CARRIAGE IN THE DIRECTION OF SPACINGAPART OF THE ACTUATING ELEMENTS.